Acupunct Electrother Res. 2000 ; 25(3-4): 145-53.

The central mechanism of the depressor-bradycardia effect of "Tinggong.

Zou CJ, Wang H, Ge L.

Health Science Center, Peking University, Beijing, PR China.

Roles of central adrenergic receptors and opioid receptors in the depressor-bradycardia effect of 3V, 2Hz "Tinggong-Quchi" electroacupuncture (the EA-DpB, i.e.the depressor bradycardia induced by electroacupuncture) were studied by intracerebroventricula (icv) injection of prazosin, yohimbine or propanol, naloxone or by intra-arachnoid (ith) injection of naloxone. Voltage-dependent depressor effects were induced by 2Hz "Tinggong-Quchi" acupuncture. The depressor effect of 3V, 2Hz " Tinggong-Quchi " acupuncture was attenuated by icv injection of a beta-receptor antagonist-propranolol, but was not blocked by the icv injection of an alpha1 -or (alpha2 -receptor antagonist prazosin or yohimbine. Icv injected naloxone but not ith injected naloxone blocked or reversed the EA-DpB. Results suggest that central P-receptors or opioid receptors in the brain are selectively involved in the EA-DpB.